The armchair theologian shares some thoughts that touch upon the real issues of life. I hope you are blessed!

Saturday, October 24, 2009

THE LIGHT OF LIFE

Genesis is the first book of the Bible, and the Holy Scripture concludes with the Revelation to John. I find it interesting and theologically significant that the first words of Genesis are, “In the beginning,” and that Revelation concludes with John’s prayer, “Come Lord Jesus” (22:20). From the beginning to the end, the Word of God points to the Alpha and the Omega, the Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:8). Our Lord’s own testimony to the disciples on the Emmaus road confirm that Moses and the prophets spoke concerning Him (Luke 24:27). If these holy men of God wrote about Jesus, what did they want us to know? Just as darkness was upon the face of the deep (Genesis 1:2), so it was with man’s spiritual condition: Sin is darkness! This darkness abode among humanity until the Light of God illuminated it: “The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up” (Matthew 4:16). One of the great “I am” declarations of Christ is found in John’s Gospel, Chapter Eight: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). This is the essential truth that the Old Testament prophetic writers were inspired to reveal, although they only knew in part and presented heavenly knowledge in veiled form until the day of full disclosure. Peter says, “The Spirit of Christ which was in them... testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow” (1 Peter 1:11). The day of full disclosure was the dawn of the Age of Grace, the Gospel Era: “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). Jesus was “the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (John 1:9). Biblical scholar F.F. Bruce wrote: “Whatever measure of truth (i.e. light) men and women in all ages have apprehended has been derived from this source.” Thus, I can confidently assert that all the religions of man combined have not, cannot, and never will bring a man to the knowledge of the truth. Salvation can be found only in Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). This is why Satan so vehemently opposes the Word of God and the Gospel of Christ. He is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44), and every religious institution and system he has devised was designed to keep men in spiritual darkness, separated from the light of life. Thus, it is not surprising that his ministers disguise their true intentions: “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:14, 15). Buyer beware is the watchword for this hour. What appears to be truth can be a lie; what appears to wholesome can be spiritual poison; what appears to be angelic can be demonic; what appears to be a message of hope can be the path to eternal destruction. Any man who has not trusted in Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior abides in darkness. But the good news is that Jesus, who opened the eyes of those who were physically blind, can open the eyes of the spiritually blind, set them free from the grip of the prince of darkness, and translate them into His kingdom (Colossians 1:13). What a cause for rejoicing this is, even among the angels of Heaven: “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance” (Luke 15:4-7).

My brethren, I pray that you will also rejoice in the blessing you possess--the light of life--and continue to walk in it, enjoying blessed fellowship with one another and with the Lord Jesus. I also pray that you will be faithful in sharing the gospel as you have opportunity: “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Corinthians 4:3, 4). This is what Jesus has called us to do until He comes to take us to be with Him, where “the Lamb is the light thereof” (Revelation 21:23).

Welcome

I hope you enjoy your short visit with us. My hope and prayer is that you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. He died on Calvary's cross to pay the sin debt that you could never pay. Salvation is a free gift that God offers you (Ephesians 2:8,9). If you call upon the Lord Jesus (Romans 10:9), you can be absolutely certain that God has granted you the gift of eternal life (I John 5:13). I pray that someday, I will see you in heaven. May God bless you with His saving grace!